Only six states received A grades in an annual report card on the problem of preventing premature births. Three states received Fs, including Louisiana.

Written by

Mike Hasten
Gannett Capital Bureau

Louisiana women need to make cultural and lifestyle changes if the state is going to significantly cut down its high premature birth rate, says the state's top medical official.

The state Friday received a grade of F by the March of Dimes for its high percentage of premature births.

The report shows Louisiana's preterm birth rate for 2012 was 15.3 percent, down from 16.4 percent in 2006 and 15.6 percent a year ago, but well above the goal of 9.6 percent. The lowest the state has recorded was 14.7 percent in 2009. ...